Belgium’s Eden Hazard plays down talks of a rift with Romelu Lukaku

Eden Hazard dismisses rift with Romelu Lukaku after accusing striker of ‘hiding’ in win over Panama

  • Romelu Lukaku scored twice as Belgium beat Panama 3-0 on Monday 
  • Captain Eden Hazard accused Lukaku of hiding in the World Cup opener 
  • The Chelsea star urged Lukaku ‘to try to get more involved in the game’
  • Hazard insists that there is no tension between the two Premier League stars 

Belgium captain Eden Hazard has played down talk of a rift with team-mate Romelu Lukaku after accusing the striker of going missing during his side’s victory over Panama on Monday night.

Belgium ultimately won the game 3-0 with Lukaku netting twice in the second half but Hazard admitted he had to have words with the Manchester United man with the scores level at the break.

‘I told Romelu at half time that we needed him,’ Hazard said after the victory according to the Sun. ‘He was hiding away on his own up front in the first half. 

Eden Hazard (right) accused Romelu Lukaku of ‘hiding’ during Monday’s 3-0 win over Panama

Lukaku scored a brace in the World Cup opener to give Belgium the advantage in group G

Lukaku scored a brace in the World Cup opener to give Belgium the advantage in group G

‘Once he got involved in the game, as if by magic, he scored two goals. I hope he will understand.’

The comments had fans thinking there may be tensions between the two Premier League stars but Hazard insists that is not the case. 

‘As the captain, even if I am not the captain I can talk, on the pitch I try to give my best, if I can help players to be better – I will,’ Hazard told Sky Sports. 

Belgium captain Hazard (left) has played down talk of a rift with the Man United striker (centre)

Belgium captain Hazard (left) has played down talk of a rift with the Man United striker (centre)

‘I just told Romelu Lukaku if we want to win the game we need him, not just as a scorer to score goals, but we want him to be involved in the build-up.  

‘We just talked normally and we won the game in the end so it was fine.’

Both players will be hoping to secure qualification for the knockout stages when they Belgium take on Tunisia on Saturday before their final group game against England next week. 

Lukaku warms up prior to Belgium's training session in Dedovsk on Thursday morning

Lukaku warms up prior to Belgium’s training session in Dedovsk on Thursday morning

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